San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-03-02
A PHANTOM BRIDE.
By the Author of 1.-THE Ice CAR
NIvAL."

IN a position TO acquire ana retain all
the latest and most important discover
les of modern scientists and biologists,
who prove facts so incredible that ex-
plOded myths and so-called "fallacies"
sink by comparison into actual insignif-
icance in the scale of wonders and the
history of marvels."
We'll" began Edie with sagely re-
Elective air; II don't see why we should
disbelieve in elfin creatures, for"
"Observe that Edie wisely eschews
the vulgar monosyllabic 'ghost'" Kate
Opined archly.
Because ghost suggests the spirit
of murdered creature" Edie ex-
planned with momentary accession of
color, "and-"
"Why as to that" interrupted Nell
lie in voice savoring of triumph; "you
know the story of the Barnes Common
Ghost does originate in the history Of a
hapless little girl who had her throat
cut by rowing pedlar at Burnham
crossroads one Christmas Eve more
than twenty years ago. Ever since
when, the tale goes"
"She re-appears on Christmas Eve"
Edie finished hurriedly. but not like
a remorseless vindictive ghost pursuing
the surviving relatives of the wicked
murderer; but in the guise of fair
Christian spirit seeking to perform
some kindly action which may do pen
ance here ON earth for the haplesS soul
chained below, and ultimately assist in
its deliverance from the lowest depths
of purgatory; where everyone knows
the souls of the damned writhe in red
hot irons, bound to fiery stakes for
thousand mortal years, unless by dint
of charitable deeds those who would
fain intercede-"
"Ediel l cannot listen to such nom
sense" materfamilias interrupted de-
cisively. Papa is doing again, see,
or he would put summary stop to
such ridiculous conversation, and l
must desire, Dick"
THAT / throw some light on the pop
ular delusion, mother, respecting
ghosts, as BELTS time, place, and cir
cumstances on this suspicious Christ
mas eve? You shall forthwith be
obeyed, madam, and"
go on, Dick, go onl" urged Nellie,
drawing nearer and propping her elbow
on the table, that she might support
her chin on the palm of her hand, and
thus catch in her open mouth, it
seemed, the sapient words which fell
from her brothers lips. do you real
ly believe in the Barnes Common
Ghost, and"
AFTER the experiences of this hence
forth ever memorable night, my child,
how can L doubt?" returned Dick
gravely, delighted at the opportunity
thus afforded him of turning his late
adventures to admirable account, and
at the same time holding the little par
ty enthralled by discussion of the or
thOdOx calibre, on Christmas Eve of all
good nights. 'Should l not otherwise
prove myself the prince of sceptics, the
most profane of cynics, after so direct
a manifestation of spiritual agencies on
behalf of my unworthy selfp Edie has
unwittingly corrobOrated the evidence
already before the court; the theory of
the wrath of the murdered girl COIN
cides merueille with the united testi-
mony of Tom and Bill, both of whom
aver that the spectral messenger of dis
aster on this occasion was beautiful as
dream, clothed in flowing garments of
spotless white of so ETHEREAL fabric
that they could with difficulty be dis
tinguished from the surrounding snow,
and with flowing elfin locks streaming
in the wintry breeze; she disappeared,
they assert, moreover, as mysteriously
as she first crossed their path, vanish
ing into limbo, even as she was evolved
from space"
wonder, then, F." suggested Kate, the
most strongminded of the sisterhood,
forcing sharp hysterical laugh, that
the carriers so unhesitatingly complied
with the instructions of this weird in
tangible being2 l should have thought
they would have shirked setting out on
such night, on possible fool's-errand,
and"
mol They declare there was some
thing iTresistibly impressive in the
creatures bearing; they felt constrained
to obey her mandate, " continued Dick,
warming with his subject, and coloring